§ Mr. WILLIAM EDWIN HARVEYasked the Homo Secretary what provision has been made for installing life-saving apparatus at each mine; will he state whether facilities are given to the workmen for training with the rescue apparatus that is now given to officials; and will he state if it is his intention to appoint inspectors to see that the said Act is carried out by special inspectors for this class of work?
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§ Mr. McKENNAAn Order was made by me in April last under the Mines Accidents (Rescue and Aid) Act, which provides for the training of rescue brigades and the supply of breathing apparatus at coal mines. At the end of the year I propose to call for a return from each mine as to the provision made in pursuance of the Order. As regards the second paragraph of the question, the Order does not discriminate between officials and workmen, but requires that the persons trained for rescue work and in the use of breathing apparatus shall be picked men, carefully selected on account of their coolness, powers of endurance and knowledge; it would be highly dangerous to allow either officials or workmen to be trained indiscriminately for this work. The Order will be enforced by the inspectors of mines who are fully competent to do so. It would not be desirable to appoint special inspectors for the purpose.